Disk-type gas holder



July 14, 1936. B. scH-AFER DISK TYPE GAS HOLDER Filed Dec. 22, 1954 3Sheets-Sheet l July 14, 1936. scHAFER DI SK TYPE GAS HOLDER Filed. Dec.22, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 In ventor:

July 14', 1936. B.SCHAFER1 2,047,333

DISK TYPE GAS HOLDER I Fil ed Dec. 22, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet s Inventor:

2%!471- a fiZa er Patented July 14, 1936 DISK-TYPE GAS HOLDER BrunoSchiifer, Philippsburg, Germany 7 Application December 22, 1934, SerialNo. 758,854 I v In Germany December 20, 1933 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to gasholders or gasometers, moreparticularly to so-called diskgasometers.

The known disk-gasometers generally consist of a cylindrically formedsheet-iron shell of. circular or polygonal cross section in which aclosing plate, disk, piston or the like, supported by the gas within thegasometer is movably arranged and the edge of which is made gas-tight bygrease supplied under pressure or an oil seal extending all around thecircumference.

The air space above the closing plate, the extent of which varies withthe volume of gas in the gasometer, is covered with a roof. By means ofa seal, slide, flap or the like, upon the center of the roof, movementof the closing plate is made possible, as this sealing arrangement withrising and falling disk allows blowing off of displaced air and preventsthe formation of a vacuum in the upper space of the gasholderrespectively.

The construction of a gasometer or gasholder is rather dangerous, as incase of unexpected accidents, for instance in case of explosion or firein the immediate neighborhood of the gasholder, the destruction, warpingor bending of the wall of the gasometer or of the closing plate or ofboth simultaneously may occur which would render the tightening meansbetween the closing plate and the wall of the gasometer or gasholderinoperative.

Depending on the extent of the damage to the gasometer, quantities orgas enter the .air space above the closing plate and form an explosivemixture of gas and air which on ignition explodes and not only causesbursting of the gas-. ometer but sometimes may cause destruction over arelatively large area. The danger increases the smaller the quantity ofgas in the gas holder and the smaller the opening of the ventingarrangement in proportionto the size of the air space filled with themixture of gas and air.

To obviate this danger, it has already been proposed to cover completelyor in zones the roof and even the upper part of the gasometer also witha .firm weather-proof fabric, for instance balloon material, celluloid,acetyl cellulose etc., which easily yields to the bursting pressure.

This proposal which was intended to solve the problem of eliminating thedisastrous results of ignition of an explosive mixture formed in the airspace on top of the closing plate, is, however, not particularlysuitable for actually obviating this danger, the more so, as the totallyenclosed space on top of the closing plate is still present and,moreover, burning celluloid pieces thrown out during an explosion maycause dangerous fires in the neighborhood of the gasometers, (benzoltanks and benzol store places).

Now, it has also already been proposed to constantly vent the air spaceof the gasometer. According to this proposal the wall of the gasometeris provided with openings which may be closed and controlled in such amanner, that they open above the closing plate but close beneath thesame and when so closed, are gas tight. To carry out this proposaliscorrect in itself, would, however, considerably complicate the operationof the gasometer and require a constant control of the openings andcontrol means.

According to a further proposal the gasholder or gasometer is to 'beconstructed without a root. In such a case, however, the closing plateand particularly the tightening or sealing means would be more or lessexposed to all kinds of atmospheric conditions unfavorable to itsoperation, so that water separators for the sealing liquid as well asfor the mechanical packing elements would be necessary, thus increasingthe costs and making the apparatus still more complicated.

The present invention avoids all the disadvantages mentioned above, andaccording to this invention it is possible to construct disk-gasometerswhich even though provided with a roof excludes the possibility of theformation and collection of an explosive mixture of gas and air in thespace above the closing plate of the gasometer. The invention consistsin providing, as a top cover for the disk-gasometer, a roof whichextends far out beyond the circumference of the gasometer, and whichroof is in the form of a funnel, the downwardly extending portion ofwhich serves as a discharge tube. The roof is mounted upon the gasometerin such a manner, that a space is provided open in all directions andthe cylindrical wall shaped opening (i. e., the lateral surface of thatpart of the gasholder which is in open communication with theatmosphere) is at least equal to approximately the inner cross sectionof the gasometer. Other features of the invention will be explained inthe following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification someembodiments of the invention are shown by way of example.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a view partly .in section of a diskgasometer according tothe invention,

Fig. 2 shows a view similar to that of Fig. 1 illustrating amodification, and

Fig. 3 is a broken away view of still another modified construction ofgasometer according to the invention.

According to the invention the struts I (double I-beams or the like)which strengthen the structure are, as shown in Figures 1-3, extendedabove the upper edge 2 of the wall 3 of the gasometer to such a heightthat between the edge 2 and the ring 5, supporting the roof 4, acylindrical opening 6 remains which is so dimensioned, that quantitiesof gas which have entered the air space on top of the closing plate Iare at once blown away and may freely flow away and, in case ofignition, may freely burn without an explosion occurring.

For gasometers of relatively small height having a large cross section,this requirement is fulfilled, if the section of free passage of thecylindrical opening is at least as great as the horizontal cross sectionof the gasometer. (In this case the distance between the edge 2 of thegasometer and the supporting ring 5 must at least be equal to 1'). Forhigher constructions wherein the ratio of diameter to height is smaller,it is preferable to increase the distance between the parts 2 and 5 toas much as 1', or even 1' (where r is the radius of the gasometer).

In connection herewith, for the purpose of reducing the resistanceagainst pressure waves coming from below, the roof 4 is formed inaccordance with the invention as a smooth or folded funnel provided witha rim 8 and extending far over the gasometer cross section. This funnelis mounted upon the gasometer leaving a space 6, open in all horizontaldirections, and having at least the dimensions stated above and thusprotects the gasometer against rain and other weather conditions. Itsdownwardly extending portion 9 serves as a tube for discharging rainorsnowwater.

The discharge tube 9 runs vertically downward through the gasometer to apoint below the bottom of the latter, where, in the construction shownin Figure 1, it is supported and rigidly fixed in a pot-like foundationI0. The water collected in the funnel is passed by the tube 9 to a pitor convenient place of utilization. The tube 9 may, however, belaterally bent and then, in a manner shown in Figure 3, be passeddownwardly at the outside of the wall of the gasometer. In the first ofthese two cases the invention is applied to gasometers with central diskguiding, the central guiding serving as tube 9 for discharging the wateras shown in Figures 1 and 2, whereas in the second case the invention isapplied to gasometers the edge of the disk I of which is guided byrollers or corresponding guiding means.

According to the modifications shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slide pieceH, serving to guide the closing plate I and arranged with some playconcentrically to the central discharge tube 9, consists of two portionsthe flanges l2 and [3 of which are bolted together and hold between themthe closing plate I in a gas-tight manner. The upper portion of theslide piece II is enlarged to form an oil cup [4, whereas the lowerportion in the lowermost position of the closing plate or disk 1 isreceived by, and snugly fits into, a potlike shaft IE] arranged belowthe bottom [6 of the gasometer. This pot-like shaft is designated byloin Figure l and by I5 in Figure 2.

This arrangement renders it certain that, with the closing plate Iresting upon the bottom [6,

the gasometer is completely emptied, thus absolutely preventingexplosions which, for instance, have happened with empty wet water-cupgasometers owing to the fact that traces of gas still remained in thegasometer after long periods of idleness at the end of which repairs(welding, etc.) were undertaken.

The roof funnel 4 and the discharge tube 9 are rigidly connectedtogether by flanges ii, l8 which in turn support the upper oil cup i9(Figures 1 and 2). The lower flange [8 also fixes the highest possibleposition of the closing plate l, i. e. the maximum capacity of thegasometer, the upper edge of the cup-like enlargement of the slide pieceII in its uppermost end position coming into contact with the flange 98.

Oil for sealing purposes flows from the upper oil cup l9 along thedischarge tube 9 into the cup-like enlargement l4 of the slide piece IIand is simultaneously passed from there to the edge seal .7 of theclosing plate 1. The oil flowing downwardly between the slide piece Hand the tube 9 serves the double purpose of sealing and lubricating. Theoil flowing downwardly from beneath the sealing means along the innerwall of the gasometer and along the discharge tube 9 is collected andafter filtration pumped again to the upper oil cup I9.

Access to the roof 4, for instance from the upper oil cup l9, may beobtained by a closeable opening 20. The roof 4 may, as shown in Figures13, be provided with a perforated plate or sieve 2| to protect thedischarge tube 9 from clogging.

Finally, doors 22 may be provided at the outer wall of the gasholder orgasometer which are arranged at suitable distances from each other andparticularly at the level of the gangways. The doors 22 are providedwith flanges and sealed by rubber strip packings between the flanges andthe outer surface of the wall of the gasometer. The inner surfaces ofthe doors 22 and the gasometer wall are flush and the doors 22 are, in aknown manner (Morton-closure), pressed against the gasometer wall(Figures 1 to 3). In this manner direct access may be had to the closingplate 1 in its highest and lowermost position as well as in anyintermediate position. In case of danger or repairs made on the plate I,the doors 22 above the plate I may be opened to increase the venting bydraft acting from below.

By the means described above the following advantages are obtained overthe known constructions and. the proposals made already.

Under normal operating conditions the gasholder or gasometer isburst-proof, as the formation and collection of an explosive mixture ofgas and air above the closing plate or disc 1 is avoided, and underabnormal conditions (air attacks, remote cannonade or bombardment) thegasometer is also burst-proof, as the gas at any portion of thegasholder may burn without causing an explosion. Furthermore, in spiteof its large open construction, the gasometer or gasholder is providedwith an effective protecting roof extending far over the cross sectionof the gasholder, so that even under the most unfavorable wind andweather conditions the closing plate is free from atmospheric depositsand therefore water separators, snow removers, etc., are not required.

The uniformity of the gas pressure is therefore assured in the samemanner as with the closed disk-gasometers as constructed hitherto.

By using the central guide 9 as a tube for discharging atmosphericdeposits from the funnelshaped roof and due. to the strong constructionelement consisting of the funnel-shaped roof and its discharge tubeextending over the entire gasometer, the stability of the gasholderaccording to the invention, particularly against horizontal Windpressures, is increased to such a degree that the stability is not anylonger dependent on the stiffening action of the interior gas pressure.

The order of dimensions of the structure (measured in cubic meters ofpractically useful space) is, therefore, considerably increased.

The erection of a gasholder according to the invention does not ofiermore difliculties than that of any other waterless gasometer.

Finally, any diskor piston-gasometer of known construction may, withoutdifiiculty, in short time be changed to a burst-proof gasholderaccording to the invention.

With disk-gasometers of the construction shown in Figure 1 the bottom I6of which directly rests upon the foundation 23, the lower end of thedischarge tube 9 extends below the bottom and is arranged and rigidlyfixed in a potor shaft-like foundation member I0. If, however, it isdesired to mount the disc-gasometer on elevated supports, obtaining aspace below the gasometer to inspect same from below or for using thisspace beneath the gasometer for other purposes, the lower end of thecentral discharge tube 9 is preferably extended into a pot-like casing I5, fixed to the bottom It of the gasholder in the space between thelatter and the ground, so that free access may be obtained to thiscasing l5 from all sides. This casing I5, fixed in the mannor of ahanger-frame to the under face of the edge of a circular opening 24 inthe gasometer bottom l6 so as to obtain a gas-tight connection,corresponds in its shape to that of the slide piece ll of the upanddownwardly moving disk 1 which slide piece serves as circular packing.The casing I5 is provided with lateral sockets 25, 26 to which the gassupplying and discharging tubes are connected. The lower portion of thecentral discharge tube 9 is, as may be seen from the drawings, fixed tothe bottom of the pot-like casing l5 and, by means of a gas-tightconnection, is in communication with means for disposing of materialpassing through said tube 9. The circular opening in the bottom of thecasing l5 allows the discharge tube 9 some play which is necessary to beable to effect an exact vertical and axial adjustment of the tube 9 atany time.

The bottom of the gasholder or gasometer is, as shown in Figure 2,stiffened by an arch-shaped lattice work construction 28 and thepot-like casing l5 then freely depends from the bottom N5 of thegasholder and from this arch-shaped lattice work construction 28. As thefunnel-shaped roof 4 is at 5 supported by angle irons or the like fromthe whole supporting structure and the discharge tube 9 in turn isrigidly connected to the funnel-shaped roof 4, the bottom of the potlikecasing I5 carrying the lower end of the central discharge tube 9 is onlymoderately loaded, so that the support of the bottom I6 of the gasholderby a simple lattice work structure or the like is quite sufficient towithstand or resist all forces acting upon the bottom of the gasometer.The pot-like casing l5, centrally arranged as described above, furthersimplifies the gasometer construction, in that it may be used as avessel receiving the oil flowing downwardly at the walls of thegasholder. For this the efiect aimed at, the bottom It of the gasholderis, as shown in Figure 2, provided with radially extending grooves orfolds the depths of which increases towards the center. On account ofthe inclination of. the grooves or the like, a natural flow of the oilto the pot I5 is obtained Safety requires that, if the gasholder hasbeen emptied, for instance for the purpose of repairing a gasholder outof use, no gas be present under the closing plate or disk I, that is tosay, that the lower portion of the slide piece ll completely fills thepot l5 and the disk I rests fiat upon the bottom l6 of the gasometer. Ina gasometer without edge-cup (Figure 2), instead of a pistonlike closingplate 1 according to Figure 1 the circumference of which forms acylindrical ring, a horizontal plane disk, as shown in Figure 2, must beused, the edge seal 1' of which is arranged not below the plane of thedisc, but above same or at least in the same height as the latter.

Such an arrangement, however could easily have the disadvantage, thatmost of the oil flowing from the edge seal into the space below the disk1 would not run downwardly along the wall of the gasholder, but in aninappropriate manner would flow away from the latter along the undersurface of the disk 1 from which it would drop oif finally and reach thebottom of the gasholder. The result of this would be an imperfect andunequal moistening of the wall of the gasholder below the disk orclosing plate I which would reduce the efiiciency of the edge seal 1 onthe downward movement of the disk 1 and thereby prejudice the safeoperation of the gasometer.

To obviate this disadvantage, the peripheral edge 7 of the disk 1 abovewhich the edge seal 1' is arranged, is, according to the invention,arched in the manner of a drain-pipe of a roof, the opening of thisdrain-pipe being directed downwardly. By this means it is obtained, thatthe sealing liquid is completely supplied to the wall of the gasometerbelow the disk 1.

What I claim is:

1. In a disk gasometer, a reservoir consisting of a cylindrical wallclosed at its lower edge and open at its upper edge, struts reinforcingsaid cylindrical wall extending vertically above the upper edge of saidreservoir, a funnel-shaped roof of greater diameter than that of saidreservoir fixed to the free ends of said struts, a tube fixed to thelower central part of said funnelshaped roof, a pot-like member fixed tothe bottom of said reservoir and forming a support for the lower end ofsaid tube, a two-part slide surrounding said tube, and a. closing platefor said reservoir connected to said slide in gas-tight relation, saidstruts extending a distance above the upper edge of said reservoirsufiicient to obtain, between said roof and the upper edge of saidreservoir, a space the cylindrical opening of which is at leastapproximately equal to the internal cross-section of the gasometer.

2. In a disk gasometer, a reservoir consisting of a cylindrical wallclosed at its lower edge and open at its upper edge, struts reinforcingsaid cylindrical wall extending vertically above the upper edge of saidreservoir, a funnel shaped roof of greater diameter than that of saidreservoir fixed to the free ends of said struts, a tube fixed to thelower central part of said funnel-shaped roof, a pot-like member fixedto the bottom of said reservoir and forming a support for the lower endof said tube, a two-part slide surrounding said tube and a closing platefor said reservoir connected to said slide in gas-tight relation, thelower end of said slide' being'formed and proportioned to snugly fitsaid member to allow the closing plate into close contact with thebottom of the reservoir and the upper end of said slide constituting anoil reservoir containing oil for supplying the edge seal of the closureplate, and said struts extending a. distance above the upper edge ofsaid reservoir sufiicient to obtain, between said roof and the upperedge of said reservoir, a. space the cylindrical opening of which is atleast approximately equal to the internal cross-section of thegasometer.

BRUNO scHAFER.

